Animated sequence of snapshots from a MD simulation of the ejection of carbon nanotubes in MAPLE

MAPLE target is loaded with 150 nm long CNTs at concentration of 17 wt.%, laser fluence is 2.3 times above the ablation threshold
nanotubes are shown as red cylinders, matrix molecules are shown as small gray dots
This animation shows the ejection of carbon nanotubes from a MAPLE target where the nanotubes are randomly distributed and oriented parallel
to the surface of the target. Laser irradiation results in the explosive boiling of the overheated matrix, the nanotubes are entrained
into the expanding matrix plume and are lifted off from the target.